We are planning an Alaskan cruise for July 2007, and we are deciding between Carival and RCCL. We will have a 16 month with us and are leaning toward RCCL b/c of the private babysitting. When I called RCCL they stated there was no guarantee of this service. If employees want extra hours they sign up for this job. RCCL said we won't know until we get on the ship if this will be available. Does anyone have experience with the availablitiy of private babysitters on RCCL? Thanks.

As for the babysitting, I know when I was 7 we went on a rc cruise and they had the babysitting, the camp leaders were very willing to babysit and its a great time. Not sure if this is the case on every cruise though seeing as my experience was almost 10 years ago.

I think as long as you go to the pursur's desk as soon as you get on board you should not have a problem. We used it when my daughter was 16 months old, and reserved the same sitter for the same time every night. She was wonderful.

I used RCI's private babysitting service a number of times over the past 10 years (as recently as 3 years ago) and never had a problem getting a sitter. I suggest you go to guest relations soon after boarding the ship to make your day/time requests. I found the sitters very competent and lovely.